MEA Internship 2026 Term II applications open: apply by October 5

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has commenced the application process for its 2026 Internship Programme Term II, inviting eligible Indian citizens to apply by October 5, 2026. This physical internship, based at the MEA Headquarters in New Delhi, aims to provide students and young graduates with first-hand exposure to India’s foreign policy and diplomatic work.

The programme is highly competitive, with a maximum of 30 interns selected for each term. Term II runs from October to March, following Term I which concluded in September 2026. Selected candidates will receive an honorarium of ₹10,000 per month and a one-time airfare reimbursement for travel to New Delhi, processed upon successful completion of the internship.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the MEA Internship 2026 Term II, applicants must be Indian citizens not older than 25 years as of the application deadline. Candidates must be final-year undergraduates, postgraduates, or research scholars from recognised universities, pursuing fields such as International Relations, Political Science, Law, Economics, Management, Engineering, or related subjects. A consistent academic record with at least 60% marks or an equivalent CGPA in their last examination passed is mandatory.

The application process is entirely online, accessible through the dedicated internship portal at www.internship.mea.gov.in. Each candidate is required to register on the portal and obtain access credentials. A polished resume and a Statement of Purpose (SOP) are mandatory for submission. Incomplete applications, missing documents, or exceeding the age limit will lead to automatic rejection, based on what the MEA Internship Portal.

Selection Criteria and Quota System

The selection process for the MEA Internship consists of two stages: Preliminary Screening and a Personal Interview. It operates on a ‘quota cum weightage’ system, considering applicants from 14 States and 4 Union Territories in each term. For Term II, states covered include Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, along with Union Territories Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

The system may allocate 26 interns from the 14 States, 2 interns from the 4 Union Territories, and 2 interns with maximum marks from TADP districts or underprivileged sections of society. A minimum of 30% of positions may be filled by women candidates. Weightage in selection is based on academic performance in +2 and graduation examinations, with state-wise merit lists prepared separately for male and female candidates. Priority is given to applicants from TADP districts during preliminary screening and to those belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories in the personal interview stage. The total number of candidates called for interview is three times the number of interns to be engaged in each term, with interviews conducted via videoconferencing.

Internship Structure and Benefits

The MEA Internship offers a duration ranging from one to three months, depending on the assigned tasks within the Ministry. Selected candidates will be introduced to various aspects of the Ministry’s functioning, its attached offices, its public interface, and its role in assisting Indian citizens, as stated on the MEA Internship Portal. The internship is a physical programme and cannot be undertaken online, with the location specified as South Block, New Delhi – 110011.

Beyond the monthly honorarium and airfare reimbursement, interns gain valuable experience in diplomatic work. The honorarium and airfare reimbursement are processed only after successful completion of the internship, requiring interns to submit proof of travel and attendance to claim these benefits. If a selected candidate opts out, the next candidate in the merit list from the individual state is offered the opportunity.

Previous Term’s Timeline

For context, the MEA Internship 2026 Term I, which ran from April to September, had 30 vacancies. The application period for Term I was from February 10, 2026, to February 25, 2026. Short-listed candidates for Term I were announced on March 5, 2026, with interviews held on March 14, 2026. The final list of selected candidates for Term I was announced on March 20, 2026.

Further reading

• MEA Internship 2026 applications open: apply by September 27 for October intake
• Central University of Haryana PhD 2026 July cycle registration open: apply by October 3
• HPPSC Medical Officer recruitment 2026 out for 228 posts, apply by 16 October
• IISc Bangalore PhD mid-year admissions 2026-27: apply by October 26
• East Central Railway recruitment 2026: apply for 1,465 ALP, other posts by October 15

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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